At 04h30 on a clear though chilly Friday morning on ANZAC Day, 25 April 2008 five SAMVOA Veterans met at the Shrine, Melbourne’s memorial to soldiers who have paid the supreme sacrifice during combat in past wars and battles. When the service started at 05h30, it is estimated that the crowd had swelled to 35000. Men and woman, boys and girls gathered to pay respect to deceased family members or personal friends. There may have been some who simply wished to pay respect for the bravery and courage of soldiers fighting for their freedom and the peace that endures in Australia today.
Following an always moving service and the sound of the lone Piper at the close of the service, the crowd slowly disperses, some go on to partake in the “Gunfire Breakfast”- scrambled egg, sausages, baked beans and a slice of bread followed by coffee and of course Anzac biscuits, prepared by the Australian Army Catering Corp, others return home to watch the parade on TV, many stay to take up the places on St Kilda road to watch the many regiments and representatives of Allied forces march from the point of step off at Flinders Railway station to conclude at the Shrine.
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On this year’s march we had 24 Veterans on parade. In the lead, our two World War II Veterans, Cliff Everton in the jeep and Tom Robinson being pushed in his wheel chair by his son Bruce Robinson who had travelled across from Perth to be with his dad. Trevor Robinson, Tom’s youngest son, marched as one of our regulars as he does each year.
The SAMVOA banner bearers were Philip Myburgh and Rory Arrow.
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Participants in this year’s march were Veterans:
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It was a pleasure having Stephen Clarke, our Tasmania President, joining this year’s march. Stephen had flown in from Launceston on Thursday night and returned home immediately after our lunch on Friday. Thank you for making this sterling effort to be with us. Wearing the distinctive parabat beret and tie, Stephen wished to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the battle of Cassinga
Also on parade our fellow Veteran Rhodesians, Alan Campbell, Derek de Kock, Malcolm Clowes, Stanley, Derek Hardy and Pat Mitchell.
Thank you in particular to our two WWII Veterans, Tom Robinson and Cliff Everton. Your presence makes it all the more special for the rest of us and it is an honour to be on parade with you.
I strongly urge all our Veterans to participate in the two events for which we, as the South African Military Veterans Organisation of Australasia commit ourselves – ANZAC Day, April 25 and Remembrance Day, November 11
Lest we forget
Mike Black
President Victoria
